The Belgium international regards the Rotterdam side as serious title contenders, and has praised youngster Memphis Depay and Jurgen Locadia

EXCLUSIVEBy Seran van Gemert

Dries Mertens believes that PSV cannot afford to focus solely on Ajax in the Eredivisie title race as he feels Feyenoord are serious contenders, too.

The Eindhoven side currently hold a two-point lead over second-placed Ajax, while Feyenoord are three points off the pace, and Mertens feels all three traditional Dutch giants still have a shot at winning the domestic title.

"Ajax won an important game [against Twente] on Saturday, so they did well. Ajax are not the only contenders, though. We have to keep a close eye on Feyenoord as well," Mertens told Goal.com.

"It's crucial for us to keep on winning the next few games. We already struggled against the so-called smaller teams before, but those games are as important as the matches versus AZ, Twente and Ajax toward the end of the season."

The Belgium international also took the time to discuss the progress of promising youngsters such as Jurgen Locadia and Memphis Depay, and praised both 19-year-olds.

"They are developing really well, especially when you see how many goals they score and how important they are. Memphis' goal [against VVV at the weekend] was very important, too."

Depay netted once in PSV's 2-0 win over VVV, while Locadia scored a hat-trick in the 3-0 KNVB Beker semi-final victory versus Zwolle in midweek.